Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2022 lister Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo shares how the country’s premier art institution is adapting to the changing times
Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo’s stint as chair, and later as president, of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was marked by triumphs over trials. She, former president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso, and former artistic director Chris Millado led the country’s premier art institution in its 50th-anniversary milestone celebration. The pandemic that followed was a real threat to the CCP. The decades-old institution had to accelerate its digitalisation, continue reaching audiences in place of live performances and, most importantly, keep its artists in viable condition.
Now amid transition, Moran-Floirendo takes a backseat serving as ad interim co-vice chairperson, a position she shares with fellow board member Atty Lorna P Kapunan. Music educator and artist Michelle Nikki Junia replaces Moran-Floirendo as CCP’s president ad interim. Meanwhile, Dennis Marasigan has been doing a great job as CCP’s new artistic director since November 2022. Moran-Floirendo now focuses on actively seeking ways to raise funds for the three-year rehabilitation of the CCP Main Building.
CCP will have immediate repairs, aesthetic and technological upgrades, and facilities to make the building gender-responsive and inclusive for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and more.
What projects in the last two years are you most proud of? Why?
During my term as chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, I directed the board of trustees to accomplish the requirements of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG): completing the CCP’s code of governance and updating the manual of operations. During the pandemic, when artists lost their livelihood, we assisted art groups by giving grants for innovative projects. I am proud that the board committees I created made each trustee responsive and creative to the needs of artists, resulting in better implementation of policies by management.
What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?
Our challenge is, as usual, traffic. But it’s a mindset. Traffic to the CCP has eased since the new skyway opened. To arrive on time, we inform our target audience to come early. In addition, some of our shows are live-streamed to reach those beyond our location. The centre continues to develop new audiences by exposing the young to the arts. We have programmes for children and youth online and at the CCP. In the future, distance and traffic won’t matter when they experience the joy of live performances.
